Minnow-pail.



Patented Jan. 2, I900.

W. R. YEAGLA.

WHNNOW PAIL. (Application filed June 12, 1899.)

(No Model.)

witvneaoaw llnrirnn STATES Partner rrrcn,

WILLIAM R. YEAGLA, OF LIMA, INDIANA.

Minnow/ ean SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 640,512, dated January 2, 1900.

Application filed June 12, 1899. Serial No. 720,275. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, IVILLIAH R. YEAG-LA, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lima, Lagrange county,State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Minnow-Pails; and my preferred manner of carrying out the invention is set forth in the following full, clear, and exact description, terminating with claims particularly specifying the novelty.

This invention relates to fishing and trapping, and more especially to that class of devices known as bait-holders, and the object of the same is to produce an improved minnow-pail.

To this end the invention consists, broadly, in a knockdown bucket or pail comprising a flexible and waterproof cover, a top and bottom within the same, and supports for distending thelast-named parts within the cover, so as to tighten the latter and form the receptacle when desired or so as to permit the folding of the entire device in a small space; and the invention consists, specifically, in the details of construction for carrying out this general idea, all as hereinafter more fully described and claimed and as shown in the drawings, wherein- Figure l is a central longitudinal section of this pail set up ready for use. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same with the door raised and one of the supports opened. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the device folded. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the top part only with the door closed and the bail lowered.

In the said drawings the letter O designates, broadly, the cover as of canvas or other waterproof material. B is the removable bottom therein, T the movable top having-a door held closedby a latch L, and S are the supports for holding the top and bottom remote from each other to distend the cover when de sired.

The cover (3 consists of canvas or some other flexible and waterproof material and in the present case comprises a flat bottom 1 and upright sides 2, here shown as forming an oblong body. The upper edge of the sides 2 is turned over, as at 3, into a hem, and attached thereto and projecting inward therefrom are a series of hooks 4:.

The bottom I] is illustrated in the present instance as consisting of a flat perforated plate 10, having inwardly opening spring-hooks 11 near the ends of its longest axis, and the contour of this plate must correspond with the shape of the bottom 1 of the cover 0. The device is herein shown as oblong or oval in contour, although it will be understood that it might be circular, square, rectangular, or of other configuration.

The top T comprises a chime 20, adapted to fit within the body of the cover and having a head 21 at its upper edge, and within this chime is secured the top proper, which consists of a perforated plate 22, fastened within the chime, so as to permit the latter to extend a little distance below and a considerable dis tance above the plate.

23 are cars secured within the chime above the top plate, and 24 is a bail pivoted to these ears and carrying a handle 25, the arrange ment of parts being such that the bail and handle may fall to one side and be housed within the chime.

The head 21 of the top '1 is adapted to on gage the hooks 4: of the cover 0 when the top and bottom are separated, for which purpose I may employ any suitable means. In the present instance I have shown supports S, two in number and each consisting of a stitl": wire 30, whose center 31 is adapted to press downward upon the bottom B and engage Within one of the hooks 11 and whose ends 32 are turned inward and journaled within sleeves 33, secured to the lower face of the top plate 22. However, it will be understood that any other suitable and equivalent form or supports may be employed.

The doorD consists of a perforated portion 40, hinged, as at 41, to close an opening 42 in the center of the top plate 22, and at the free edge of this door is a latch L, consisting of a bolt 43, sliding under keepers 44 on the door and engaging a single keeper 45 on the top plate. To the handle of this bolt is preferably attached a spring 46, having a catch 4-7 normally engaging the innermost keeper 44-, the free end of the spring being provided with a thumb-piece 48, standing within an opening 49 in the handle of the bolt, all as best seen in Fig. 2. When it is desired to open the door, the thumb-piece is depressed to disengage the catch from the keeper, and further too pressure on the handle of the bolt will slide the latter within the keepers on the door, so as to disconnect its tip from the single keeper on the top plate. When the bolt is again shot into place, the catch 47 automatically engages the inner keeper to hold it there. However, any other suitable form of latch may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

All parts of this device are of the desired sizes, shapes, proportions, and materials,except that the cover is preferably of canvas and the remaining parts may be of metal pressed or stamped into shape. In assembling the parts the cover is placed on a suitable support, the bottom is passed thereinto, the supports S are folded, the top is passed into the cover and pressed downward upon the bottom, and the flexible coveris then folded down upon the top, so that the whole occupies very little space and the flexible cover stands in contact with no sharp edges, which might cut or injure it. To set up the device for use, the cover is unfolded, the handle 25 is grasped, and the top raised until the hooks 4 engage the bead at the upper edge of the chime, the latch is moved to open the door D, and the supports S are borne downward around their pivot-s until they engage with the spring-hooks 11. The device is then filled with water and minnows or other suitable bait placed therein, after which the door may be closed and 1 latched and the pail can be used by the fisherman in a well-known manner. To again fold the device, as for storage or transportation, the door is opened, the supports drawn upward against the bottom of the top plate, the top pressed downward upon the bottom, and the cover folded into position, as seen in Fig. 3.

What I claim as new is 1. In a minnow-pail, the combination with a flexible waterproof cover comprising a bottom and upright sides, and inwardly-projecting hooks at the upper edge of the latter; of arigid bottom,'a rigid top consisting of a chime fitting within the cover and having at its upper edge a bead to engage said hooks, a top plate fast within the chime between its upper and lower edges, a door in this plate, and a handle pivoted to the chime and adapted to be housed therein; and movable supports attached to the lower side of the top plate and adapted to be housed within the chime or to distend this plate from the bottom, all as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a minnow-pail, the combination with a flexible waterproof cover comprising a bottom and upright sides, and inwardly-projecting hooks at the upper edge of the latter; of a rigid bottom,a rigid top consisting of a chime fitting within the cover and having its upper edge adapted to engage said hooks anda top plate within thischime, both. said parts being of perforated material, means for distending the parts, ears within the chime, abail pivoted thereto and having a handle adapted to be housed within the chime, said top plate having an opening, a door hinged thereover, and a latch for holding the door closed, substantially as described.

3. In a minnow-pail, the combination with the flexible cover consisting of a flat bottom and upright sides having hooks at their edges; of a rigid perforated bottom plate, inwardlyopening spring-hooks thereon, a rigid perforated top plate having a chime adapted to engage the hooks of the cover, a door-in this top plate, sleeves beneath this plate, and two supports each consisting of a stout wire whose body when the support is vertical engages one of said hooks on the bottom and whose upper ends are turned inward and journaled in one of said sleeves, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a minnow-pail, the combination with a flexible cover comprising a bottom and upright sides with hooks at their top edges, and a rigid bottom; of a rigid top .removably engaging said hooks, supports pivoted to the top and adapted when distended to separate the top and bottom, an opening in the top, a hinged door closing the same, a latch at the free edge of the door consisting of a bolt sliding in keepers thereon and engaging a single keeper on the top plate, and a spring-actuated latch on said bolt engaging one of the keepers on the door when the bolt is shot, as and for the purpose set forth. 7

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my signature this the 7th day of June, A. D. 1899.

WILLIAM R. YEAGLA.

Witnesses:

GEO. D. SEARING, SAMUEL YEAGLA. 

